Head of Applications

We’re looking for an experienced, commercially minded Head of Applications to join our growing Group IT team.

Reporting directly to the Chief Architect, this is a high-visibility, impactful role where you will own, govern, and continuously improve our enterprise application estate and integration capabilities across the Group. Leading a team of Application Managers and Integration Engineers, you will bridge the gap between technology and business priorities, ensuring our applications remain secure, reliable, supportable, and cost-effective.

We’re looking for a proactive tech leader who excels at vendor management, team development, and translating complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders to deliver sustainable change., * Own the Group Application portfolio, ensuring clear technical/business ownership, support models, data classifications, and lifecycle roadmaps.

• Conduct landscape reviews to identify opportunities for system rationalization, remediation, retirement, or investment.
• Work with project teams to assess business requirements for new applications before procurement begins.
• Oversee implementations, upgrades, releases, migrations, and decommissioning.
• Lead the Integration function, ensuring solutions and Power Automate workflows are designed, developed, monitored, and supported to approved architecture standards.
• Ensure projects produce proportionate designs, data flow diagrams, and support models.
• Manage operational relationships with strategic application and integration suppliers, overseeing service reviews and contract renewals.
• Contribute to budget setting, forecasting, and commercial negotiation to actively manage software licensing and platform costs.
• Lead, mentor, and build a capable team of Application Managers and Integration Engineers.
• Define and report on service KPIs, operational risks, application availability, and incident trends.

You’ll be a seasoned technology leader who thrives in complex multi-site environments and enjoys aligning technical capabilities with business goals., * Significant experience leading enterprise application support, business systems, or integration engineering teams.

• Strong knowledge of Application Lifecycle Management, IT Service Management (ITSM), and supplier governance.
• Proven track record in supplier negotiation, contract due diligence, and software cost control.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the ability to communicate technical and commercial matters to non-technical leaders clearly.
• Experience translating business requirements into clear delivery plans and high-level designs.
• Familiarity with agile and project management techniques.

Experience or familiarity with education systems (e.g., MIS, safeguarding, assessment platforms) is advantageous but not essential., * A collaborative and strategic approach to technology governance.

• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong technical acumen balanced with commercial awareness.
• A genuine passion for using technology to improve outcomes for young people.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS check.

• Hybrid working environment with an established, supportive tech leadership team
• Great Place to Work certified for six consecutive years
• Meaningful work using technology to improve outcomes for children and young people